Top 10: Sustainability Leaders in InsurTech

Sustainability has become a critical focus for the insurance sector, driven by the escalating challenges of climate change and evolving societal expectations. Insurers are increasingly recognising their pivotal role in mitigating environmental risks and promoting sustainable practices.

As climate-related disasters become more frequent and severe, the industry faces mounting claims and the need to reassess risk models. Simultaneously, there's growing pressure from regulators, investors and customers to incorporate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into business operations.

Forward-thinking insurers are not only adapting their risk assessment and underwriting practices but also leveraging technology to create innovative, sustainability-focused products. This shift towards sustainability is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity for businesses who want to stick around.

In this list, we're going to look at 10 of the sector's brightest sustainable practitioners and thought leaders.

10. Siddhartha Jha

Position: Founder, Chairman and CEO
Company: Arbol
Based in: United States

As the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Arbol - a global climate risk solutions platform - Sid Jha is leading efforts to address climate-related challenges through data-driven parametric insurance products. Sid's work focuses on leveraging advanced technologies to create efficient and transparent insurance solutions for climate risks. He is also a Co-founder of dClimate, the first decentralised climate information ecosystem.

9. Sten Saar

Position: Co-Founder
Company: Zego
Based in: United Kingdom

Sten Saar, Co-founder of Zego, has revolutionised insurance for gig economy workers. While not directly focused on environmental sustainability, Saar's innovative approach to insurance contributes to social sustainability by providing flexible coverage for a growing segment of the workforce. This indirectly supports sustainable economic practices in the evolving labour market.

8. Sam White

Position: Founder
Company: Freedom Services Group, Pukka, Stella
Based in: United Kingdom

Sam White is known for her innovative and hyper-prolific approach to the insurtech business. As the founder and chair of Freedom Services Group, which includes brands like Pukka Insure and Stella Insurance, she has built a successful insurance business with over 200 employees and a turnover exceeding US$25m. Stella Insurance, launched in 2020, is particularly notable for being a female-centric motor insurance company designed specifically for women and led by women, reflecting White's commitment to championing diversity and inclusion.

7. Alexandre Rispal

Position: Consultant and Author
Company: Alexandre Rispal Consulting
Based in: France

Alexandre Rispal, a prominent figure in the insurtech sector, contributes to sustainability through his extensive writing and speaking engagements. As an author and lecturer, Rispal plays a crucial role in educating the industry about innovative technologies and practices, including those related to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

6. Peter Scott

Position: CEO
Company: Broker Insights
Based in: Scotland

Peter Scott leads Broker Insights, a company leveraging technology to enhance efficiency in insurance brokerage. While not explicitly focused on sustainability, Scott's work in digitising insurance processes contributes to reducing paper waste and improving operational efficiency, indirectly supporting environmental sustainability in the insurance sector.

5. Emilia Macarie

Position: CSO
Company: Allianz
Based in: Germany

As the Chief Sustainability Officer at Allianz, Emilia brings a wealth of experience in strategy, finance, business development and M&A to drive the company's ESG initiatives. She has worked in Germany, Ireland and Spain, and speaks English, Spanish, Romanian, French, Italian and German.

All these skills and experiences are all the more incredible considering how young Emilia still is. She is a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, advocating for sustainability on the world stage. "We want to help ensure a future for all on a planet worth living on. Today, Allianz is recognised as a sustainable insurer, a responsible investor, and a good corporate citizen," she says.

4. Maria Mateo Iborra

Position: CEO
Company: IBISA
Based in: Luxembourg

Maria Mateo Iborra leads IBISA, a company designing index-based insurance solutions for climate change and weather-related risks. Her work focuses on developing products that address challenges such as excess rainfall, cyclones and extreme temperatures. Iborra's leadership in creating advanced analytics tools helps insurers assess climate-related risks and develop new products that promote sustainable practices.

3. Daniel Schreiber

Position: CEO
Company: Lemonade
Based in: United States

Daniel Schreiber, at the helm of the Lemonade Crypto Climate Coalition, is pioneering an innovative approach to addressing climate change through the convergence of insurance, blockchain technology, and cryptocurrency. This ground breaking initiative represents a significant step forward in the insurance industry's efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainability.

Under Schreiber's leadership, the coalition is developing a range of climate-linked insurance products that leverage the unique capabilities of blockchain technology. These products are designed to provide more efficient, transparent, and accessible insurance solutions for climate-related risks. By utilising smart contracts and decentralised systems, the coalition aims to streamline claims processing and reduce administrative costs, making climate insurance more affordable and widely available.

Furthermore, Schreiber is spearheading efforts to explore blockchain's potential in creating more efficient carbon offset markets. This aspect of the coalition's work could revolutionise how carbon credits are tracked, traded, and verified, potentially accelerating global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By combining insurance expertise with blockchain innovation, Schreiber is not only promoting sustainable practices within the insurance industry but also contributing to broader climate resilience efforts globally.

2. Jonathan Jackson

Position: CEO
Company: Previsico
Based in: United Kingdom

Jonathan Jackson, as the CEO of Previsico, is leading the charge in leveraging cutting-edge technology to address climate-related risks in the insurance sector. Under his guidance, Previsico has developed the innovative Flood Intel Platform, a sophisticated tool that harnesses the power of data and artificial intelligence to accurately assess flood impacts.

This platform represents a significant advancement in risk assessment and management for insurers. The Flood Intel Platform developed by Jackson's team enables insurers to take a proactive approach to flood risk. By providing precise assessments of potential flood impacts, it allows insurance companies to work closely with their customers to implement effective risk mitigation strategies. This not only helps reduce potential losses but also strengthens the relationship between insurers and policyholders through collaborative risk management.

Moreover, Jackson's leadership has positioned Previsico at the forefront of sustainable insurtech. By enabling more informed underwriting decisions, the company is helping insurers protect their bottom line while simultaneously addressing the growing challenges posed by climate change. This dual focus on financial sustainability and environmental responsibility demonstrates Jackson's commitment to creating solutions that benefit both the insurance industry and the broader fight against climate change.

1. Rachel Delhaise

Position: Group Head of Sustainability
Company: Convex
Based in: United Kingdom

Rachel Delhaise has emerged as a prominent figure in the insurance industry's sustainability efforts. As the Group Head of Sustainability at Convex, she has been recognised for her outstanding contributions, winning the Climate and Sustainability Champion of the Year award in the 2024 InsuranceERM awards.

Delhaise's role at Convex allows her to leverage her extensive insurance expertise while pursuing her passion for climate action, positioning her as a key player in the industry's transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Delhaise's approach to sustainability in insurance is comprehensive and forward-thinking. She emphasises the importance of understanding sustainability in the context of insurance companies, focusing on measuring sustainability through various metrics and adapting to evolving sustainability goals.

Her work also addresses critical issues such as the protection gap and its impact on sustainability efforts within the sector. One of Delhaise's notable initiatives is the Convex Seascape survey, which likely explores the intersection of marine ecosystems and insurance.

This project demonstrates her commitment to exploring innovative ways for the insurance industry to contribute to environmental protection and sustainable practices.

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